Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE Kiewa and Mitta valleys were baying for blood.
Mark Sarau’s blood.
Speaking ahead of the 2010 elimination final, Sarau had the audacity to label the league’s finals venue at Sandy Creek as “sub-standard”.
“It staggers me that they still play the finals there,” Sarau said at the time.
They came for the then Rutherglen coach from everywhere.
The Border Mail was inundated by phone calls the day Sarau’s comments appeared in the paper, but it was nothing like the abuse the non-playing coach copped that weekend.
“I remember walking into the ground with my wife that Saturday and saying: ‘Heather, just look straight ahead and don’t say anything,” Sarau recalled yesterday.
“I guess I was a little used to it coming from the VFL and going to places like Port Melbourne and Sandringham.
“It’s fair to say that my comments upset a few people.”
Fast forward four years and Sarau should be given free entry to all finals with a complimentary hot dog and coffee.
Those comments were the catalyst for a feasibility study into the ground and its facilities and are the single biggest reason why Sandy Creek now boasts arguably the premier surface in country Victoria.
It’s picture perfect after 20 millimetres of rain this week.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek coach Ryan Richardson said yesterday he couldn’t remember the ground being in better shape.
“I guess it all came to a head with Mark Sarau’s comments a few years ago,” Richardson said.
“Time and money has been put into the ground and it’s looking absolutely unbelievable.
“It’s a great advertisement for the league and its clubs.
“Steven Knight has been looking after the ground and doing a sensational job.”
Mitta United coach Clinton Gilson remembers coming to Sandy Creek when he was coaching Rand-Walbundrie and said a remarkable transformation had taken place.
“It’s come a long way,” Gilson said.
“I have only been with Mitta for two years but I remember it previously and the ground was nothing like it is today.”